'Sod you.' Tom pulled off his armour. 'I'm not going to stay here and burn. I'm going over the side. You can come too for all I care.'
The icy waters engulfed him. He bobbed to the surface and visions of an earlier life flooded back. In his former realm he'd been subject to this sort of training. It all seemed so distant now. But a strong message kept him going. It struck a common bond and had something to do with people you liked and how you mustn't let them down.
Halfway to shore, a dragon boat bore down on him. For the second time that day, he thought he was going to be beaten to death by flaying oars and prepared to dive. Then, at the last moment, the oars dug in and the boat came to a standstill.
Thunder and Adrina were on deck.
She looked down at him.
'Tomas, are you hurt?'
Tom didn't like the way she used his old name.
'Why don't you call me Sky Warrior?'
'That time is passed, Tomas.
Tom was incensed.
'You mean you've joined those murderous bastards who think I'm the Good God?'
'I don't know what you're talking about.'
'Yes, you do.'
He grasped an oar.
'I'm talking about those sods who want to drink my blood.'
'Tomas ... that time has passed too.'
Adrina produced an image of the holy family seated on a throne.
'The Good God is reborn. He is the caring, loving father of us all.'
Tom let go the oar and sank back.
'I suppose you were told that by the Holy Mother?'
'Aye, Tomas. In a dream.'
'No, you weren't.'
Tom pulled himself up.
'You got it from that sod Aaroen. I told him what happened in my old realm and the stupid bastard got it wrong.'
As he spoke, a dinghy was lowered from the dragon boat.
'Get in Tomas. There are dry clothes and food for your journey.'
'What journey?'
'You are going to make the hero's passage between realms.'
'I suppose the Holy Mother told you that too?'
'No. Miralda did.'
'You mean that old loony who lives in the marshes?'
'Miralda is a custodian of the ancient wisdom. I once thought ill of her. Now I know she is a very special person. Her suffering and love for others have transported her to a higher plane.'
Tom's heart sank.
His worst fears were realised. Adrina had been sucked in by a corrupt priest and a geriatric nutter. His attempts to inject some sanity into the situation had failed. The natives had merely substituted one bunch of religious fanatics for another. He wondered if he should have taken up Morgon's offer of an alliance.